Iridium System Magic

different materials (see Chart in next section). These

Ma g i c An d Ps i

Imagine that all of creation is shaped like a book that

stretches out for infinity in all directions. Our universe, from materials block power use from the appropriate realm, and
the biggest galaxy to the smallest atom, would be a page in will even inflict damage on spell casters if it touches their
the book. The Roma Imperious setting would be another skin. Finally, it is possible to craft devices to store pre-loaded
page. The seven Realms of Power would each have a page in spells; this takes considerable research and knowledge about
that book. Each page would have its own set of rules on how both science and magic.
the universe None of the preceding
functions, and information is needed
each page would to run the game, but it
lie next to each may be useful in
other, touching aiding players and
but not GM's in designing
interacting. Spell their own artifacts and
casters have the realms. Feel free to
ability to act like contact HinterWelt
a lightning rod with questions and
and pull energy ideas on the topic of
from one page to magic use.
another. We call
that energy
'magic' and the
Iridium
effects are known System
as 'spells'.
Magic
It turns out that
The Iridium System
only some
has three basic magic
humans are born
systems in it. The
with the ability to tap into other Realms, and even then they
primary point of the different magic systems is to reflect the
can touch only one Realm. This is a tricky process, since
different way magic works in the same setting. That is to say
channeling energy can overload the nervous system of the
that within a setting spell magic reflects a structured spell
spell caster. Spirit points are the measure of the amount of
organization; i.e. guilds or schools. Clerical magic reflects a
energy one person can channel at any one time. The average
freer form of magic involving divine intervention (clerics),

Spell Magic
human has ten spirit points, spell casters have between ten
guidance from a higher
and thirty and supernatural
power (mystics, shamans) or
creatures can have hundreds.
effects that to not fall easily
Magical energies have a certain Wind Natural Forces into a pre-specified spell
unique resonance that allows for 2 pts/turn 500 feet format (artificers,
a number of interesting things. Elements: T,G Prereq: Gust alchemists, druids).
First, a spell caster can detect
energies from his own Realm, so This spell moves winds at the caster’s Will in miles per Spell Magic
a Medicina Maga can detect hour and will dissipate gases in 2-8 rounds. This is the Realms allow channeling
when other Medicina Maga next step up from the Gust spell. It is a strong breeze but from nearby planes that have
powers are in use. Second, each not so potent as to move people or objects. particular attributes. This
Realm has an affinity for power is channeled through
different materials (see Chart in the caster and given a specific form via a mnemonic process.
next section). These materials can store spirit points, like a Fatigue is represented via spell points. Spell points
battery, for future use. Third, each Realm has a counter in regenerate at a rate of 1 per night of rest (2 per night for the

MAGIC AND PSI 41

 Natura Maga). A caster may kill themselves via casting into how closely it abides by the influence of the god or other
the negative spell points (usually -10). Average caster has power source. In addition, there is a fatigue minus reflecting
around 20 spirit points but may store up to three times their how many times the player has cast since they last prayed or
normal amount in their body. If they meditated. If the PIE check is
exceed double their normal max made the effect goes off, else it
(i.e. 40 if they normally store 20) Free Form Magic does not. If the CON check is
their body will begin to glow with a Free form magic is granted by a higher power. A made no damage is taken, else
slight but noticeable aura. There are character does not command it so much as requests damage is taken to all areas to
also external storage items like the effect they are attempting to perform. The the tune of the total minus. For
gems. There are seven realms higher power may refuse it at any time in order to instance, if attempting to create
discovered so far but many more are advance its agenda or simply on a whim. fried chicken for the third time
Psionics

suspected to exist. a priest would suffer -6, all

Spell Based Magic
other factors being equal, and if
An example of a Spell Point based Spell based magic is usually learned in an
failed then receive six points of
spell is given below. It is taken for institution or from a master to a student. It
damage to all areas. Critical
Tales of Gaea, the Realm is Natural functions at the command of the caster but fatigues
failures result in a check on a
Forces. It costs the caster two spell them as they cast. The channel this power from
chart for possible physical or
points to maintain for every turn other planes through their body and the “spell
spiritual effects.
(usually about 10 minutes). Its point” mechanic tracks their fatigues. Non-spell
range is 500 feet. Its elements are casters usually only have 10 spirit points that a B E N E F I T S OF THIS
Thought and Gesture. Its prereq, spell caster may drain before killing them. Spell SYSTEM: Flexibility. The
and not all spells have prereqs, is casters usually have between 15 and 25. player who likes to come up
Gust. with their own spell effects will
Psionics get into this system.
Building a spell is not difficult if Psionics is much like the method monks use in that
one keeps in mind the relative all the power comes from inside. Psionics use the
strength of the spell and makes sure free from mechanic but they do so with their own
Dedicated (Chi)
to consider cost and the level the will. Their state of mind is often effected and they Magic
spell should be placed at. Complete move towards insanity as they use their powers Monks work off a CHI system
spell lists are available in Tales of more and more. They must rest and meditate in and have a list of powers which
Gaea, Shades of Earth, and Roma order to regain their perspective. It is not at all they gain as they go up levels.
Imperious. uncommon for them to go irrevocably insane. These effects are well defined
W h e n c r e a t i n g a R e a l m , i t i s Monks and powered off the CHI
important to think of the elements reserve which is regenerated
The powers that monks call upon is internal with a successful Meditation
of that Realm. Natural Forces deals
although it has been thought to be mystic in many Skill roll. CHI never increases
with nature and thus the storm,
settings. The truth of it is that the power comes but the higher level effects cost
animals, plant control and the like.
from within and their Chi points is a fatigue more. Some of the effects
Free Form Magic

The realms are spell list driven. mechanic. They become more exhausted as they include increasing defense and
BENEFIT OF THIS SYSTEM: Pre- use their Chi and it is all the spiritual strength they killing with one blow.
created lists make it a case of point will have.
management for casting spells. BENEFITS OF THIS
SYSTEM: A combination of
Free Form Magic the spell casting-list driven abilities and the flexible casting
of the clerical system. Individual monasteries have
Free form (also called clerical) magic is practiced by priests,
specialized CHI powers.
druids and shamans. They channel awesome supernatural
powers from gods, nature, and spirits respectively. There are
no lists for these classes but they do have areas of influence Psionics
depending on their focus. A priest of a god of war would not Psi are not common because of the intense training it
be able to create a bucket of fried chicken. Likewise, a priest requires to become one. The great ones are born with the
of a god of fried foods would not be able to give everyone in talent and merely need training to focus and develop their
the party a +1 to hit. Resolution is accomplished with a abilities. The Psi’s most important stat is PIE since it reflects
check, on a d20, vs. the priest's PIE and CON stats (WILL their faith in their powers. Without intense concentration and
and CON for druids and shamans). A modifier is applied the belief that they can affect the world around them with
determined by the GM for difficulty, casting conditions, and their minds, they would lose the ability to use their Psionics.

42 MAGIC AND PSI

The next most important stat is WIS. WIS is their mental The GM may wish to impose their own modifiers for
discipline which allows them to focus their raw talent and difficult conditions (Tele-imaging in the midst of a fire fight)
ability supplied by the PIE. Without WIS their power would or for optimal conditions (Telepathic scan of the memories
do horrible damage to their own body, people and objects of a person under truth drugs). AS A GUIDELINE ONLY,
around them or just run wild. the following table has been supplied.
In most settings some form of formal schooling must take
Mod Modifier Examples
place. Whether it is schools or single masters teaching a
single pupil does not matter. Rarely will an individual 0 Majority of simple things: Tele-imaging across
independently develop reliable psionic powers. Wild talents line of sight, reading surface emotions, minor
may manifest themselves in the gifted but little reliability or telekinesis

Psionics
repeatability will be present.
-1 Easy: Telekinesis up to 10 kg, simple illusions,
The Psi are limited in the range of their abilities and the
communicating via telepathy within 5 km.
number of times before they must meditate to regain their
mental balance. This means that the Psi may use disciplines -2 Hard: creating moving illusions, flying via
listed here for general areas of effects. The Psi must pick one Telekinesis
discipline to study initially but may add other disciplines as
-3 D i ff i c u lt : I m p la nt i ng m e m or i e s , c o m pl e x
they gain experience.
movement with Telekinesis, implanting emotions,
Disciplines Tele-imaging elsewhere on a planet, illusions with
sight and sound
Telekinesis is the moving of objects with
-7 N i g h I m p o s s i b l e : Te l e - i m a g i n g a c r o s s
the mind. The heavier the object, the more
interplanetary distances, telepathy across
distant the object or the more complex the
interstellar distances (including orbiting craft),
movement, the higher the difficulty. To
moving tons of material
Telekinesis pick up an object and float it to a person is
much easier than typing on a keyboard. In general, the more powerful the effect the larger the
Applying killing force is very difficult and minus since it draws more conscious thought and discipline
requires a to hit roll in addition to a to focus an effect.
successful psi roll.
System
Telepathy is, in its easiest from, reading
the surface thoughts of a person. Much Base Chance: PIEChannel Base: WIS
Telepathy more difficult is reading the memories of Base Modifier: -0 (- 3/additional effect)
a target and the most difficult effect is
Psi have a base chance of their PIE to succeed in generating
implanting new memories.
a desired effect. This is modified by - 3 every time beyond

Dedicated (Chi) Magic

Empathy is reading or projecting the first effect that the psi has attempted (i.e. first attempt -0,
emotions onto an individual. Reading is second attempt -3, third attempt -6, etc.). In addition, the GM
Empathy
rather simple but projecting is very may modify the roll if he or she feels it appropriate (i.e.
difficult. combat, difficulty of effect, Balek pounding on the foot).
Finally, the player must roll under their modified PIE. If
This is the power to alter the perception of
successful, the psi has created the effect with the mind. If the
an individual. To affect multiple minds at
psi rolls a natural 20, the effect not only fails but backlashes
once is more difficult than affecting the
and harms the psi’s psychic strength (see Psychic Backlash
mind of one person. Creating an illusion
Illusion table below). The same modifier is then applied to the
of something believable is easier than
character’s WIS and another d20 is rolled. If the player rolls
creating something unreal. The illusion
under the modified WIS then no ill effects are felt. If the
will only be audible and visual. If touched
player rolls over the modified number, he fails, he takes the
it will dissipate.
modifier in fortitude points to all areas (i.e. if the mod was -9
This is a projection of the Psi’s mind into then the psi takes 9 points of damage to all areas. No,
Tele-Imaging another location. The more distant the positive modifiers do not return points). If the roll was a
location the higher the difficulty. natural 20 he rolls on the Mental Backlash Table below.
NOTE: you can fail your PIE roll (no effect generated) and
succeed at your WIS roll (no damage taken) OR you can

MAGIC AND PSI 43

 succeed at your PIE roll (effect generated) and fail at your
WIS roll (damage taken) OR you can fail at your PIE roll (no d20 Psychic Backlash
effect generated) and fail at your WIS roll (damage taken) 20 Discipline Destroyed! The Psi must relearn their
OR you can succeed at your PIE roll (effect generated) and discipline. To do this they must attend a Psi
succeed at your WIS roll (no damage taken). school for 3 months. No effects may be generated
The Base Modifier will set back to 0 and all psychic effects until the discipline is relearned. No experience
will be removed if the Psi is allowed to meditate for one hour need be spent for this.
(unless a duration is stated).
Levels
d20 Mental Backlash
Psionics

The Psi will be able to keep the Base Modifier constant for a
number of attempts equal to her level. For example, if a fifth 1-5 -1 to all WIS rolls until Psi meditates; discipline
level Psi were attempting seven consecutive SIMPLE effects shaken.
then the total modifier for the psi would be for each effect
respectively; -0,-0,-0,-0,-0,-3,-6. Since the Base Modifier 6-10 -2 to all WIS rolls until Psi meditates; discipline
does not change it allows the Psi to perform more effects. shaken badly.

Saves 11-13 -1 to all WIS rolls until Psi sleeps for 6 hours;
mind exhausted.
A person who is attacked psionically receives a save vs. their
PIE - the level of the Psi. If this is a desired effect then the 14-16 -2 to all WIS rolls until Psi sleeps for 6 hours;
affected may decline the save. For an effect that is external to mind in agony.
the target (i.e. Telekinesis), there is no save. A to hit roll is
needed to hit an opponent in order to lift them or hit them 17 Resolve Destroyed! -4 to WIS and no Craft skill
with a secondary object. may be performed until Psi meditates.
18 Wisdom Confused! All WIS rolls automatically
d20 Psychic Backlash
fail. The Psi will be incoherent and must rest for
1-5 -1 to all PIE rolls until Psi meditates; shaken. 12 hours.

6-10 -2 to all PIE rolls until Psi meditates; shaken 19 Amnesia! The Psi retains all their skills and
badly. abilities but have no memory. This can only be
cured through time and meditation. It is up to the
11-13 -1 to all PIE rolls until Psi sleeps for 6 hours; psi GM to determine the duration. Familiar people
powers questioned. and objects will help.
14-16 -2 to all PIE rolls until Psi sleeps for 6 hours; 20 Mind Destroyed! The Psi’s mind is destroyed. He
unsure of psi powers. must receive professional help for a Psi or a
Dedicated (Chi) Magic

psychiatrist within 3 days or damage is permanent

17 The real world Comes into question. The Psi’s
and the body will fail. It will take 3 months to heal
balance is off and the world spins. -4 to AGL 1/2
the damage.
movement until psi meditates.
18 Mind Crushed! The Psi has difficulty
concentrating. Cannot perform Intellectual skills
and - 4 to INT until Psi meditates.
19 Belief in the Psi Disciplines crippled! Psi may
perform no effects for the day and have a -2 to all
PIE rolls until the psi can meditate for a number
of hours equal to the amount of points that the psi
missed their PIE by.

44 MAGIC AND PSI